Alongside Carrick: Man Utd Must Ditch Maguire After Como Disasterclass

· GiveMeSport

Michael Carrick is in danger of losing his job, but he's not the only one who should be on the way out at Man Utd.

Manchester United were humiliated by Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, as they fell to a 4-1 defeat in Italy.

Goals from Nico Paz (2), Anastasios Douvikas and Jacobo Ramon saw the Red Devils 4-0 down after 76 minutes, before substitute Joshua Zirkzee netted a consolation goal in injury time, leaving United seven games without a win in all competitions.

Michael Carrick is now facing major speculation over his job, with reports that Eddie Howe is ready to take over and is the favourite to step in should INEOS decide to make a change, but he isn't the only one who should be looking over his shoulder for his career at Old Trafford.

The entire team turned in a horrific performance in Italy, with United putting on one of their worst performances since Sir Alex Ferguson retired back in 2013.

Bruno Fernandes had a horrendous game and found himself substituted after 66 minutes, while Matthijs De Ligt struggled in his first appearance back on the pitch since November 2025 following back surgery. Diogo Dalot also struggled once again while playing at full-back, and all of them could conceivably find themselves playing elsewhere in 2027.

But one player in particular really struggled on the night, and it's clear now that his time at Old Trafford should be coming to an end much sooner rather than later.

Harry Maguire signed a new contract at United earlier this year, extending his stay until 2027 with the option of a further 12 months included. But the central defender has started the season abysmally, and it's hard to see how or why the club would choose to trigger that option.

Against Como, Maguire was incredibly slow to close down Nico Paz for the opening goal just two minutes into the game, and it set the tone for what would go on to be a sloppy night for the former England international. The MEN handed him a measly 3/10 rating for his performance, and that may even have been generous.

While many seem to praise Maguire for leadership and his physical attributes, they always seem to ignore the fact that he is regularly exposed by opponents for his lack of athleticism and lack of quality on the ball.

Considering his age and contract status, and the fact that INEOS are reportedly planning a defensive overhaul already, it would be crazy for Maguire to stay beyond this season, and United should even consider trying to move him on in January to get some of the £80m investment back.

He's not good enough, and his performance against Como showed that. United are better off without him, and they'll be better off once he's out of the team.

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